Display rack



March 27, 1934. A SJODIN E1- AL 1,952,466

DISPLAY RACK /A/VE/vroes ALEXANDER JJOD/N CHARLES J'. GLUND ROBERT J'.MOODY Y @Jl mwN-H March 27, 1934- A. sJoDlN r-:r AL

DI SPLAY RACK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 18, 1931 M. y smwwms wwwa n.MMN meJJ. R N ...s m /p l ALQVA 5 m una pw. l 46E F AV w n Fla? Manh27, 1934. A SJODlN Er AL 1,952,466

DISPLAY RACK Filed June 18, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 /NVEN TOES ALEXANDERsJoD/N cHARLES J. o1. UND ROBERT `1: Moopy ATTORNEYS' March 27, 1934. A.sJoDlN ET Al.

DI SPLAY RACK Filed June 18, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NVENTOBS ALEXANDERSJO/N CHARLES 'J'. OLUND ROBERT lf. MOODY 5" @NJ-e, @wf #ula-H ATTORNEYSPatented Mar. 27, 1934 UNH` STATES F F ECE Olund and Robert .'s'.

Minn.

Moody, Cambridge,

Application June 18, 1931, Serial No. 545,220

7 Claimsrl This invention relates to new and useful improvements indisplay racks and more particularly to such racks adapted to be movablysuspended from an overhead support.

An Vobject of the invention is to provide a movable display rack adaptedfor use in stores and other places, to display merchandise to be vended,said rack having means for receiving standard cocky boxes whereby thecookies therein may be displayed in the boxes in which they are receivedfrom the factory, as is now common practice, said boxes usually beingprovided with glazed closures or doors, and said boxes being arranged inspaced relation thereon, and at a slight angle whereby the cookies inthe boxes may readily be seen.

A further object is to provide a display rack adapted to be suspended bymeans of a flexible element such as a chain, whereby the display rack isadapted for rotary and swinging movements thereby causing it to attractthe attention of patrons entering the store or place where the displayrack is employed. Y

A further object is to provide a display rack of the characterdescribed, particularly adapted for use in stores, whereon articles andmerchandise may be displayed in a pleasing and attractive manner with aresultant increase in the number of sales, the construction of the rackand its supporting means being such as to cause it to move almostcontinuously in a rotary or swinging fashion, whereby it will quicklyattract the attention of a prospective purchaser entering the store.

Other objects of the invention reside in the construction of the displayrack whereby it may readily be taken apart and packed into acornparatively small bundle Vfor shipment; Y in the construction of themain supporting structure which. consists of a plurality of uprightangle plates secured together in spaced relation and having meanstherebetween for supporting articles or containers to be displayed; inthe means for securing together said angle plates whereby the displayrack may be quickly taken apart and set up again when necessary; toprovide a display rack shaped to simulate a pyramid and having its wallscomposed of a plurality of plates detachably secured together, and eachprovided with a plurality, of openings adapted to receive containers orarticles to be displayed; in the provision oi a display rack comprisinga plurality of compartments each provided with a glazed door and havinga plurality of uprights detachably secured thereto, the upper ends oiwhich are secured together and provided with means whereby the rack maybe suspended from an overhead support; in the provision of a pluralityoi shelves on said uprights; and, in the provision of a conicallyshapedV display rack pro- (Cl. E11-115) vided with a plurality ofannular shelves adapted to receive articles and goods fordisplay-purposes, and provided at its upper portion with means wherebyit may be suspended from an overhead support.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the followingVdescription and accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in theannexed claims. Y

In the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structuredesigned to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is tobe understood that the invention is not conned to the exact featuresshown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claimswhich follow.

In thedrawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational View partially in section, showing one formof the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1, partially in section to show thearrangement of thek angleY plates forming the supporting structure ofthe rack; Y

Figure 3 is a view showing one of the triangularlyshaped shelves removedfrom the structure;

Figure 4 is a perspective view showing a d isplay rack of pyramidalshape;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating the interiorconstruction of the rack shown in Figure 4; Y y

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on the line 6-5 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view on the line 7-7 of Figure 4;

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation showing another orm of display rackhaving a plurality of radially disposed compartments provided at the.

lower portion thereof and the upper portion thereof comprising inclineduprights adapted to support suitable shelves; l

Figure 9 is a sectional plan view on the line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure l0is a detail sectional View on the line 10-10 of Figure V8;

Figure 11 is a perspective View showing a display rack of conical shape;

Figure 12 is a detail sectional view on the line 12-12 or" Figure l1;

FigureA 13 is a detail sectional view showing the connection between theannular shelves and the cone-shaped body of the rack; and

Figure 14 is a detail sectional view through the. upper portion of therack shown in Figure li, iilustrating the means provided whereby therackmay be suspendedv from an overhead'support.

The display rack featured in Figures 1, 2, and 3 is shown comprising aplurality of angle plates each provided with upright walls 3, as bestshown in Figure 2. The angle plates 2 are shown disposed in rightangular formation and are spaced apart by suitable supporting members orplates 4, arranged at an incline, as shown in Figure 1. Each supportingplate 4 preferably has its opposite edges bent upwardly to provideflanges 5, whereby said plates may be secured to the adjacent walls 3 ofthe angle plates 2. An upturned flange 6 is provided at the inner end ofeach supporting plate 4 to provide stops for the cartons or boxes 7,shown in Figure l. These cartons or boxes may be of the type usuallyemployed in grocery stores for displaying cookies and such articles,each being provided with a glazed door or window 8, as shown in Figure2.

The supporting shelves 4 are preferably arranged at an angle, as shownin Figure 1, so as to tilt the boxes '7 to positions whereby thearticles or goods contained therein may readily be viewed by personspassing by the display rack.

Suitable triangularly shaped shelves 9 are se.- cured in position in theoutwardly facing corners of the angle plates 2, as best illustrated atthe left hand side of Figure 2. Each shelf 9 is here shown provided withdepending iianges l1 having suitable apertures 12 therein adapted toreceive bolts or screws which pass through similar apertures provided inthe walls 3-3 of each corner plate. rThe vertical edges of the walls 3 3of each angle plate 2 are notched or shaped like saw teeth so as toconform to the angular position of the boxes 7 upon the supports 4, andwhereby a neater appearance is presented.

Suitable plates 14 are shown secured to the upper portions of the angleplates 2 and each is provided with an upright inclined portion 15 whichportions are adapted to be secured together at the corners, asillustrated in Figures 1 and 2. A small plate 16 may be secured to theupper portion of the structure to provide means for supporting asuitable hook or eye-bolt 1'?, adapted to be engaged with a suitablechain 18 whereby the rack may be suspended from a ceiling or overheadsupport.

The shelves 9 secured in the corners of the angle plates 2, as shown atthe right hand side of Figure 1 and at the left hand side of Figure 2,are adapted to support such articles for example, as canned goods,indicated at 19 and 2l in Figure l. The angle plates 2, supportingplates 4, shelves 9, and top plates 14, may all be secured together bysuitable bolts whereby the entire apparatus may be quickly taken apart,if necessary. A suitable nishing plate 22 is disposed over the topplates 14 to provide a more finished appearance to the rack. Articles tobe displayed may also be supported upon the top plate 22.

The display rack shown in Figures 4 to 7, inclusive, comprisesoppositely disposed triangularly shaped plates 23-23 and similarlyshaped plates 24-24. The plates 23-23 are here shown provided withinwardly turned marginal flanges 25, against which the marginal edgeportions 24 24 may be seated and secured by suitable stove bolts 26.

The plates 23-23 are each provided with a plurality of openings formedby inwardly turning portions of the metal thereof to provide inclinedbottoms 27 adapted to support containers or cartons 28 such, forexample, as cocky boxes. These boxes are provided with the usual glazeddoors 29 whereby the articles or goods contained therein may be viewedby persons passing the display rack.

The plates 24-24 are shown provided with three openings similar to thoseshown in the plates 23, adapted to receive similar cooky boxes 28. Theseplates, in addition, are shown provided with a plurality of pigeon holes30, 3l, and 32, having their bottoms substantially horizontally disposedso that small articles or canned goods may be supported thereon fordisplay purposes. These pigeon holes are also provided with uprightwalls whereby small articles displayed therein cannot accidentally dropinto the interior of the display rack. (See Figure 7).

The means for supporting the display rack from an Overhead supportconsists of a plate 33 ntting beneath the inwardly turned top nanges 34of the plates 23 and 24 as best shown in Figure 5. A suitable hooi; oreye-bolt 35 has its upper end received in an aperture. provided in theplate 33, and extends downwardly therefrom and has a sleeve 36 mountedthereon, which sleeve is shown provided with suitable hooks 3'7 and 33adapted to receive supporting rods or wires and 4l, respectively, whichare secured to the inclined bottoms 27 which support the boxes 23. A nut42 is shown received in threaded engagement with the lower end of theeye-bolt 35 so as to securely clamp the upper end of the sleeve againsta washer 43, seated against the bottom of the plate 33, and whereby allof the parts will be rigidly secured together as a unit.

he hook 35 may be engaged with a suitable supporting chain 18, as shownand described with reference to Figure 1.

The display rack illustrated in Figures 8 to l0, comprises a pluralityof compartments 44, defined by upper and lower walls or plates 45 and45, respectively, and a plurality of radially disposed partitions 4'?,preferably constructed as shown in Figure 9. Each compartment isprovided with an outer wall 48 having openings 49 therein provided withsuitable glazed doors or closures 5l, whereby access may be had to thecompartments, and also whereby the material or goods contained in saidcompartments may be viewed from the exterior of the rack.

The lower portion of the display rack, comprising the compartments 44,is supported by means of a plurality of uprights 52 having their lowerterminals spaced apart and passing through suitable apertures providedin the top wall 45. Suitable pins 53 are secured in the lower ends ofthe uprights 52 within the compartments 44 to prevent them fromaccidentally becoming disengaged therefrom. The uprights preferablytaper inwardly and have their upper end portions 54 beveled and ttedtogether, as shown in Figures 8 and 10. A cap 55 nts over the ends ofthe uprights 52 and has an aperture in the upper wall thereof adapted toreceive an eye-bolt 56 which passes downwardly between the ends of theuprights 52 and has a suitable wedge 57 provided at the lower endthereof. A nut 58 is received in threaded engagement with the lower endof the eye-bolt 56, whereby the wedge may be forced upwardly, causingthe upper ends of the uprights to expand against the walls of the cap55, whereby they will be firmly secured in position within the cap.

A plurality of suitable shelves 59 and 6l are detachably supported uponthe uprights 52 in spaced relation. These shelves cooperate with the topwall 45 of the lower portion of the structure to provide shelves forreceiving and supporting articles or goods to be displayed, as indicatedby the dotted lines 62 in Figure 8. The display rack may be supported ina manner similar to that shown and described with reference to Figures 1and 4.

The display rack illustrated in Figures 11 to 14, inclusive, comprises aplurality of segmental plates 63 provided with inwardly turned marginallianges 64 adapted to be abuttingly engaged and secured together bysuitable stove bolts 65, as best shown in Figure 12. When these platesare thus secured together, they provide a conically shaped body, asillustrated in Figure 11.

A plurality of annular members 66, 67, and 68 are demountably supportedupon the conically shaped body of the structure adapted to supportarticles which are to be displayed. Each annular shelf is provided witha marginal flange 69 adapted to be seated against the surfaces of theplates 63, as clearly illustrated in Figure 13. A

small circular plate '71 is tted into the upper l end of the coneshapedbody and has an eye-bolt 72, whereby the rack may be supported from achain 1S in a manner similar to that shown and described with referenceto the other figures.

The display rack featured in this invention has been round very usefulin such places as grocery stores and other places where small articlesare vended. The articles to be displayed are placed upon the displayrack, as hereinbefore described, so that they may readily be viewed bypersons entering the store. When a customer is looking over the goods ondisplay on the rack, he need not walk around the rack to see the variousarticles displayed thereon, but may view them by simply rotating therack, which greatly adds to the attractiveness of the apparatus. It isalso to be understood that when once a rotary or swinging movement hasbeen imparted to the display rack, it will continue so to move for along period of time, thereby attracting the attention of prospectivepurchasers when entering the store. The invention also provides adisplay rack which may be quickly taken apart and stored away in acomparatively small space, when necessary. 'Ihis feature is especiallyimportant when shipping the display racks from one place to another.

We claim as our invention:

1. A display rack comprising a plurality of angle plates arranged inspaced relation and having their outer edges stepped, inclinedsupporting plates interposed between and secured to said angle plates,means secured to the upper portions of said angle plates whereby therack may be suspended from a suitable overhead sup-- port, and stops atthe inner ends of said supporting plates whereby a conventional cockybox may be supported on each of said plates, the inclination of saidplates causing said boxes to be supported an angular position wherebythe contents thereof may readily be viewed by prospective customerspassing thereby.

2. A display rack comprising a plurality of upright angle platesarranged in spaced relation, `means interposed between and secur' lgtogether said angle plates and providing supports for articles orcontainers to be displayed, a member secured to the upper portions ofsaid angle plates and having a horizontal portion provided with anangular opening axially alined with the rack, and a plate element havinga portion fitting in said opening and provided with means whereby therack may be suspended from a suitable overhead support.

3. A display rack comprising a plurality of angle plates arranged inspaced relation and facing outwardly, inclined supporting platesinterposed between and secured to said angle plates and providingsupports for articles or containers to be displayed, said supportingplates having upturned flanges at their inner edges providing stops forfood containers supported thereon, a plurality of shelves secured` tosaid angle plates in the corners thereof whereon small articles may bedisplayed, and a member secured to the upper portions of said angleplates and having means whereby the rack may be suspended from anoverhead support.

4'. A display rack comprising a plurality of angle plates arranged inspaced relation and facing outwardly, flanged supporting platesintei-posed between and detachably securing together said angle platesand providing supports for articles or containers to be displayed, a topmember secured to the top portions of said angle plates and having anopening therein, and a plate element fitting in said opening andprovided with means whereby the rack may be freely suspended from asuitable overhead support.

5. A display rack comprising a plurality of upright angle platesarranged in spaced relation, anged plates interposed between anddetachably securing together said angle plates and providing supportsfor articles or containers to be displayed, a top member secured to theupper portions of said angle plates and comprising an upright portion,means secured to said upright portion whereby the rack may be suspendedfrom a suitable overhead support, and a plate horizontally disposed onsaid top member and having an aperture adapted to receive said uprightportion, said plate iunctioning as a shelf for supporting additionalarticles to be displayed.

6. A display rack comprising a plurality of angle plates arranged inspaced relation and iacing outwardly. supporting plates interposedbetween and detachably securing together said angle plates and providingsupports for articles or containers to be displayed, said supportingplates being arranged at an incline whereby articles supported thereonwill be tilted, a plurality of horizontally disposed shelves demountablysecured to said angle plates at the corners of the rack whereon smallarticles may be displayed, and a top member secured to the upperportions of said angle plates and provided with means whereby the rackmay be suspended from an overhead support.

'7. A display rack comprising a plurality of plates of angularcross-section arranged in spaced relation and facing outwardly,supporting plates interposed between and secured to said angle platesand providing supports for articles or containers to be displayed, aplurality of triangularly shaped shelves secured to said angle plates atthe corners of the rack and disposed in vertically spaced relation andeach having an annular depending flange, and plates secured to the upperportions of said angle plates and provided with means whereby the rackmay be suspended from an overhead support.

ALEXANDER SJODIN. CHARLES J. OLUND. ROBERT J. MOODY.

